Child Care Waitlists Block Women From Workforce

Record high waitlists for child care assistance have created significant barriers for women seeking to re-enter the workforce or advance their careers, impacting thousands of families across the United States. Edythe Smith, a single mother and auto claims insurance adjuster working from home in Syracuse, New York, experienced this firsthand when state funding for child care subsidies was frozen shortly after her daughter's birth. Upon returning from maternity leave, Smith found herself juggling full-time work with full-time infant care, a situation she described as "super disruptive" to her job and detrimental to her ability to excel or seek promotions. The challenges faced by Smith are indicative of a broader national trend, as thousands of families grapple with similar circumstances. A May report from the National Women’s Law Center revealed that the number of children on state-run waitlists for child care subsidies nearly doubled between early 2024 and early 2025, marking the largest year-to-year increase in two decades. This growth continued throughout 2025 for many of these lists. Further analysis by The Associated Press earlier this month highlighted that hundreds of thousands of children were on waitlists in 23 states and Washington, D.C., during the spring. In states like Georgia, New Jersey, and South Carolina, eligible families were reportedly turned away due to enrollment freezes, according to the AP's findings. The child care assistance program in question is funded by the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG), a federal funding stream established nearly 40 years ago. Currently, approximately $12 billion in CCDBG funds are allocated to states annually, with states and other sources contributing an additional $4 billion in matching funds. This federal program is intended to support low- and moderate-income families in accessing affordable child care, thereby enabling parents, particularly mothers, to participate in the labor force. The current surge in waitlist numbers suggests a significant shortfall in available subsidized child care slots relative to demand, exacerbating existing inequalities and hindering economic participation for many women. The implications extend beyond individual families, potentially affecting overall economic productivity and gender equality in the workplace. The National Women's Law Center's data indicates a systemic issue where the availability of affordable child care has not kept pace with the needs of working families, leading to a situation where career progression and even basic employment are compromised.